Submitted by Marilyn Mucha
On Tuesday, July 26, we had an inspiring presentation by Iryna Mykitiuk. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It was so very inspiring
As we learned, there are many service opportunities available for Rotarians and Rotary clubs. We will be working with Marilyn and our Community Service team to share with you as club members to support those who need a hand up.
Thank you Marilyn for all that you do!
Rotarians helping newly arrived Ukrainians fleeing the war
Ukrainian Nationals fleeing Ukraine are still coming to Alberta. About 400 a week to be exact. Many of them are seeking short term hosts, help with resumes, and with paperwork to get their AHC card, a bank account etc. and rides to interviews.
Many Rotarians are providing valuable service to these vulnerable families. Last month, while volunteering at the Kingsway mall " Welcome Center" set up by Ukrainian Canadian Social Services, Marilyn Mucha met a 29 yr old lady from Kharkiv Ukraine who needed a new host as her host for the first week after arrival was leaving on vacation.
After learning that many Facebook posts to "Edmonton Hosts Ukrainians" site where men were asking for pictures of single ladies seeking hosts, Marilyn offered her home to Iryna Mykitiuk. She moved in and quickly the two connected as Iryna is an accountant and was seeking employment. Fortunately, she has petty good English but needed some assistance to tailor her resume for the Canadian market.
During a conversation Marilyn had with Rotary club of Edmonton Strathcona member Brenda McCullough, she learned that Brenda's daughter worked at a CPA firm that was hiring. Iryna's resume was sent in and an interview was scheduled. Marilyn took Iryna shopping for some business clothes and drove her to the interview at Metrix Group on St. Albert Trail.
The interview was successful and she started her new job as Accounting technical Monday July 1. Since the summer months are not very busy for accounting firms, Iryna has Fridays off, so she is putting her previous experience as a teen working in her father's flower shop to good use. Marilyn made contact with a former Shumka Dancer who operates Bonnie Doon Flowers and Greenhouse and Iryna has a part time role helping with wedding arrangements on select Fridays and weekends.
Iryna has scouted around and has found a two bedroom apartment within reasonable bus access to her full time job and will share with another Ukrainian national she befriended via the same Facebook page. She is now seeking furniture and household items.
Iryna attended our Hawrelak Park picnic and met those in attendance. She is impressed with the kindness of strangers and her first FREE pickup of a blender and cookie sheets on FB marketplace.
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